Velton L. Baldwin

The meeting included council introductions and agency updates from various departments. The Department of Health and Human Services reported on increasing the Personal Needs Allowance, updating the HCBS Settings Policy, upcoming Critical Incident Management System definition changes, and the addition of Caregiver Coaching and Children's Attendant Care options. They also discussed implementing a new acuity assessment tool and preparing for a MCO Certification review. The Department on Aging provided updates on their Faith-Based Symposium, disaster preparedness partnership, the Race for the Ages 5K, participation in a documentary on aging, and receiving the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers Grant. DSS/APS reported on creating a new practice model for younger adults and submitting compliance documentation. Data reports indicated trends in case intake, noting that most cases close within six months. Other discussions involved the feasibility of offering a virtual option for future meetings and planning for the Annual Report, including what data should be presented to show system changes and raise public awareness.

Key topics included the Director's welcome, updates on MAC membership, disclosure of conflicts of interest, a discussion on Medicaid enrollment status showing a slight decrease but remaining near the historic average, and several advisements. The advisements covered the renewal of HCBS Waivers (Community Choices and HIV/AIDS), FFY 2026 DSH Payments, Speech-Language Therapy Rates, the Sunset of Expiration Date for Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, State-owned Governmental PRTF Rates, Personal Needs Allowance, and 340B Drug Program FFS Billing. Policy updates highlighted the launch of the Medication Assistant Training Program and updates to Dental Services, audiology services (including BabyNet), and policies for preadmission screening resident review (PASRR) effective in January and February 2026.

The SCDHHS strategic plan is structured around three key goals: enhancing the member experience, ensuring access to needed health services, and optimizing operational resources. The plan aims to improve the accuracy and timeliness of Medicaid eligibility decisions, utilize data-driven models to monitor service access and health outcomes while ensuring fiscal responsibility, and efficiently align administrative resources to support all strategic objectives and foster staff development and retention.

The meeting included agency updates from the Department of Health and Human Services, covering topics such as the impact of H.R.1 on South Carolina Medicaid, the Community Engagement Waiver, and changes to Home and Community Based Services. The Department on Aging discussed their upcoming Faith-Based Symposium, Elder Care Trust Fund grants, and the Geriatric Physician Loan Forgiveness Program. Data reports were presented by DSS/APS, SLED, and the Ombudsman, detailing caseloads, intakes, complaints, and arrests. Other discussion topics included an increase to the Personal Needs Allowance and proposed changes to the council's bylaws. The council is requesting designees from the three offices that now fall under the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

The Medicaid Advisory Council (MAC) meeting included updates on Medicaid enrollment, FFY 2026 DSH payments, swing bed hospital and administrative day rates, speech-language therapy rates, and the sunset of the expiration date for medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Discussions also covered the state-owned governmental psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) rate, personal needs allowance, HCBS waiver amendment, 340B Drug Program FFS Billing, updates to revised fee schedules, and updates for Rehabilitative Behavioral Health Services (RBHS) and Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIP) providers. Policy updates included changes to the Clinics Services Manual.